Typewriting machine



Julie 22, 1943. J K TE TYPEWRITING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Original Filed Nov. 12, 1938 INVENTOR BY M96 ATTORN EYS Patented June 22, 1943 TYPEWRITING MACHINE John Joseph Kittel, St. Albans, N. Y., assignor to Royal Typewriter Company, Inc, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York firiginal application November 12, 1938, Serial Divided and this application August 27, 13%, Serial No. 354,431

6 Claims.

This invention relates to typewriting machines, and more particularly to stops for arresting or limiting movement of typewriter carriages in letter-spacing or return directions, and to mechanism for adjustably positioning such stops. This application is a division of my copending application Serial Number 240,180, filed November 12, 1938, now Patent No. 2,229,380, issued January 21, 1941.

It is usual to provide cooperating stop elements on typewriter main frames and carriages for arresting or limiting movement of the carriages either for fixing the'writing margins or for positioning the carriage for tabulating operations. The illustrative embodiment of the invention to be described comprises a typewriter including stops arranged to arrest movement of the carriage at a predetermined point or predetermined points, and mechanism for adjustably positioning a stop or stops. It will be understood, however, that the invention may be adapted for more general application.

' An object is to provide mechanism cooperable with an adjustable stop for quickly and easily moving thestop along its support and automatically setting it in adjusted position.

Another object is to provide mechanism of the character referred to in which the movement of the adjustable stop is controlled by a device supported on the typewriter main frame.

Another object is to provide margin stop setting mechanism by means of which a margin stop may be set in desired carriage-stopping position by merely moving a control device mounted on the main frame without its being necessary first to set the carriage in any particular position on the frame, 'then moving the carriage to the desired margin position, and then retracting the control device.

Another object is to provide margin stop setting mechanism by means of which a margin stop may be set in desired carriage-stopping position by shifting the carriage to the desired margin position, then moving a control. device mounted on the main frame, and then retracting the control device.

A further object is to provide mechanism of the character referred to which is of simple construction, easy to operate, and rapid in its action in correctly positioning the stop.

Other objects will become apparent from a reading of the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a typewriter in which adjustabl margin stops are mounted on the .main frame and are associated with stop-setting mechanism embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary end elevation looking in the direction ofsthe arrow 2 in Figure 1 and drawn on an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure l and drawn on an enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is a detailed vertical sectional View taken on the line 44 of Figure 1 and drawn on an enlarged scale and with some parts of a left hand margin stop omitted; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of a modification of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive.

Mechanism constructed and arranged to operate in accordancewith the invention may be embodied in typewriting machines of various kinds.

The drawings show a form of stop-setting mechanism embodying the invention and adapted more particularly for use in typewriters having adjustable margin stops carried by the main frame and cooperating stop means fixed to the carriage. Only such of the usual or knowntype- Writer structure as may be of assistance in understanding this embodiment of the invention is shown. The known structure includes a main frame L on which a carriage M equipped with a platen or cylinder N is mounted for letter-spacing and return movements. A pointer O fixed to the carriage cooperates with a carriage-positioning scale P mounted on the main frame for indicating the letter space position of the carriage. A lever l0! pivotally mounted as at I02 on the carriage M is provided at itsright hand end with an upstanding finger piece I03, and at its left hand end is formed with a projecting stop I04 which cooperates with a projection I05 on a margin stop generally designated Q mounted to slide on a front tie rod R anda rack bar S, both mounted on the main frame. The margin stop Q cooperates with the stop projection l 04 on the carriage for fixing the left hand margin on the typed sheet when the carriage is moved to the right. By depressing the finger piece I03, the lever lfll may be swung to move the projecting stop I04 upwardly, so that it may clear the stop I05 to effect left'margin release. Another stop projection I06 fixed to the carriage is adapted to cooperate with a stop plate ID! on a margin stop T mounted to slide on the front tie rod R and a rack bar U, both carried by the main frame, so as to fix the right hand margin on the typed sheet the stops should be set in order to fix desired margins on the typed sheet.

In accordance with the present invention, the margin stops Q and T are so constructed and arranged as to be urged respectively towards the stops I04 and I06 under the control of mechanism entirely carried by the main frame. The urging of the stops Q and T is effected by a spring band V which is connected at one end as at I08 to the margin stop Q, thence extending to the left as at I09 around a pulley H journaled at I I I on the main frame, thence to the right as at I I2 and around a pulley H3 journaled as at H4 on the main frame, and thence to the left as at H5 for connection as at H6 to the margin stop T. The

long coil spring V is always under tension, and

constantly urges the margin stop Q toward the stop projection I04, and constantly urges the margin stop T toward the stop I06.

To releasably secure the stop Q in adjusted position on the frame against the urge of the mechanism, to be described, for releasing the latch to permit the spring V to draw the stop toward the left. The mechanism for operating the latch is mounted entirely on the main frame, and includes a bail or tracker bar I which extends longitudinally of the main frame and normally is disposed substantially in a vertical plane. The tracker bar I25 is provided with mounting arms I26 and I21 which are pivoted respectively as at I28 and I29 on brackets I30 and I3I on the main frame. The arm I21 is offset eccentrically of the pivot I29 as at I32 and is provided with a longitudinal extension I33 which projects through a frame openin I33 and terminates at its end 7 in a vertical extension I34 at the top of which is a forwardly projecting finger lever device I 35. A

spring I36 interposed between the vertical extension I34 and a limiting stop I31 urges the tracker bar to the position shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, wherein it is out of contact with the roller I24.

In operation, when it is desired to fix the left hand margin on the typed sheet, the finger lever I35 is depressed so as to rock the tracker bar I25 in a counterclockwise directionas viewed in Figure 3, thereby causing the upper portion of the tracker bar to engage the latch roller I24, moving it to the left as viewed in Figure 3, and thereby disengaging the latch nose I I9 from the toothed rack bar S. Disengagement of the latch from the bar S will result immediately in movement of the margin stop Q toward the left under the urge of the spring V until the stop projection I05 on the margin stop Q engages and is arrested by the stop projection I04 on the carriage. The carriage is then moved to the desired margin position, and the finger lever I35 is released, permitting the spring I36 to return the tracker bar to the position shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, thus allowing the spring I20 to move the latch nose I I9 into engagementwith the rack bar S, thereby locking the stop Q in position for fixing the left hand margin at the desired point. In the normal or state of rest position of the tracker bar I25, a considerable clearance or space is provided between the bar and the roller I24, thus preventing accidental releasing of the latch H1.

To releasably secure the stop T in adjusted position on the main frame against the urge of the spring V, a latch I38 is pivotally mounted as at I39 on the margin stop T, and is provided with a nose I40 urged into engagement with the toothed bar U by means of a spring MI. 7 The latch is provided with an arm I42 at the outer end of which is a finger piece I43 by means of which the latch may be manually released when it is desired to set the margin stop T manually. Also at its outer end, the arm I42 is provided with a roller I44 adapted to cooperate with a bail or tracker bar I45 for releasing the latch under the control of mechanism entirely carried by the main frame. The tracker bar I45 extends longitudinally of the main frame and is formed with mounting arms I45 and I41 pivotally mounted as at I28 and I29 respectively on the main frame brackets I30 and I3I. The arm I46 is offset as at I48, and is formed with a longitudinal extension I49 which projects through a frame opening 543 and at the end of which is a return off set I50 having at its end a vertical extension I5I terminating in a rearwardly projecting finger lever device I52. A spring I53 interposed between the vertical extension I 5I and a pin I54 on the main frame urges the tracker bar I45 against a limiting stop I55 on the main frame. In this position, the tracker bar will be disposed substantially in a vertical plane as shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. y In operation, when it is desired to set the right handmargin on the typed sheet at any desired point, the finger lever 152 is depressed so as to rock the tracker bar I45 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 2, 3, and 4, causing it to engage the roller I44 on the latch I38 and to release the latch nose I40 from engagement with the rack bar U. Thus the spring V will draw the margin stop 'I' toward the right until the stop plate I01 on the margin stop T engages the stop projection I96 on the carriage. Then the carriage is moved to the desired right hand margin position, and the finger lever I52 is released, permitting the tracker bar I45 to return to the position shown in Figures 2 to 4, inclusive, thus allowing the latch I38 to be moved to latching position by the spring I4I. In this way the stop T will be locked in position on the main frame for. maintaining the desired right hand margin on the typed sheet. It will be observed that, when the tracker bar I45 is in its normal or state of rest position as shown in Figures 2 to 3, inclusive, there is considerable clearance or space between the tracker bar and the roller I44. Such clearance assures that there can be no accidental disengagement of the latch I38 through vibration of the parts. 7

Figure 5 shows a modified form of stop-setting means which may be-used in connection with a typewriter in which adjustably positioned margin stops are mounted on the main frame. In accordance with this modification, a spring motor powered drum I56 is journaled on the main frame as at I51, and a band or cord I58, which itself may be non-expansible,v is wound partially on the drum I56, and has an unwound portion extending to the right as at I59 and around a pulley I60 journaled as at I6I on the margin stop Q, the band or cord thence extending toward the left as at I62 for connection at I63 to the margin stop'T. The drum I56 constantly exerts a pull on the stretches I59 and I62 of the cord or band, whereby the stop Q is urged toward the left, and the stop T is urged toward the right as viewed in Figure 5. Thus the powered barrel or drum I56 cooperates with the band or cord I58 for urgingjthe stops T and Q in a manner similar to that effected by the spring V incorporated in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. Otherwise construction and operation of the margin stops Q and T are related elements shown in Figure are similar to the construction and operation of the margin stops and their related elements described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, and therefore need not be referred to in detail,

The rack bar U is provided with arms I64 and I65 which mount the bar U for limited rocking movements about the front tie rod R for operat ing bell-ringing and line lock mechanism (not shown). The bar U is urged to its normal position by a spring X, movement of the bar under the urge of the spring being limited by a stoppin Y.

The finger levers I and I52 are shown as being located on the main frame L between the carriage M and key board W. This location is preferred because of its proximity to the key board, and consequent convenience.

The latch actuators or bails are cooperable with the latches irrespective of the positions of the margin stops relative to the frame. Although the manually operable latch-releasing devices are constrained against movement with respect to the frame in the direction of carriage letterspacing movement, they are cooperable with the actuators, bails, or tracker bars irrespective of the position of the carriage with respect to the frame. Thus the margin stop or stops may be set very easily merely by manipulating a device on and at the front of the frame and by moving the carriage.

The mechanism disclosed herein embody the invention in practical and the now preferred forms, but it will be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the invention claimed,

I claim:

1. In a typewriter, a frame; a carriage mounted thereon for letter spacing and return movements: a first stop on said carriage; a bar on said frame extending in the direction of carriage movement and having a vertical face thereof formed with teeth; a second stop mounted on and for adjustment along said bar; spring means constantly urging said second stop toward said first stop; a latch mounted on said second stop for horizontal movement into and out of engagement with said toothed bar face; a spring normally holding said latch in engagement with said toothed bar face; a bail comprising a fiat tracker bar extending longitudinally of said toothed bar and normally being disposed in a substantially vertical plane with its top edge portion adjacent and alongside a part of said latch; means pivoting the bail to rock about an axis below said latch; and manually operable means for rocking said bail to move the upper edge portion thereof into engagement with said latch part for releasing the latch.

2. In a typewriter, a frame; a carriage mount ed thereon for letter spacing and return movements; a first stop on said carriage; a toothed bar on said frame extending in the direction of carriage travel; means mounting said bar for rocking movements; a second stop mounted on and for adjustment along said bar; spring means urging said second stop toward said first stop; a latch on said second stop releasably engageable with said toothed bar; a spring normally holding said latch in engagement with said toothed bar; a bail extending parallel to said bar and adjacent the line of movement of said latch along said bar; means pivoting said bail to rock about an axis parallel to said bar; means normally maintaining said bail in inactive position with a predetermined clearance between the bail and said latch; a' spring for urging said bar to rock to its normal position; a stop cooperable with said bar for so limiting movement of the bar as to prevent such movement from effecting latchreleasing contact of said latch with said bail; and manually operable means for rocking said bail to effect latch-releasing engagement thereof with said latch.

3. In a typewriter, a frame having side walls one of which formed with an opening adjacent its front; a carriage mounted for letter spacing return movements on said frame; a first top on said carriage; a toothed bar on said frame extending in the direction of carriage travel; a second stop mounted on and for adjustment along said bar; spring means urging said second stop toward said first stop; a latch on said second stop releasably engageable with said toothed bar; and a rockable bail pivotally mounted on said frame and being engageable with a part of said latch in any position of adjustment of said second stop on said bar for releasing said latch said bail comprising a tracker bar portion extending parallel to said toothed bar, and mounting arms on and at right angles to the tracker bar portion. respectively at opposite ends thereof, one of said arms being provided with an extension projecting parallel to said tracker bar portion and through said side wall opening, the outer end of said extension being provided with a finger lever extending fore and aft of the frame.

4. In a typewriter, a frame having side walls one of which is formed with an opening adjacent its front; a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return movements on said frame; a first stop on said carriage; a toothed bar on said frame extending in the direction of carriage travel; a second step mounted on and for adjustment along said bar; spring means urging said second stop toward said first stop; a latch on said second stop releasably engageable with said toothed bar; and a rockable bail pivotally mounted on said frame and being engageable with a part of said latch in any position of adjustment of said second stop on said bar for releasing said latch, said bail comprising a tracker bar portion extending parallel to said toothed bar, and mounting arms on and at right angles to the tracker bar portion respectively at opposite ends thereof, one of said arms being formed with an offset eccentric to the bail pivotal axis and with an extension projecting longitudinally of the bail axis through said side wall opening, the outer end of said extension being provided with a finger lever extending fore and aft of the frame.

5. In a typewriter, a frame having side walls one of which is formed with an opening adjacent its front; a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return movements on said frame; a first stop on said carriage; a toothed bar on said frame extending in the direction of carriage travel; a

second stop mounted on and for adjustment along said bar; spring means urging said second stop toward said first stop; a latch on said second stop releasably engageable with said toothed bar; a rockable bail pivotally mounted on said frame and being engageable with a part of said latch in any position of adjustment of said second stop on said bar for releasing said latch, said bail comprising a tracker bar portion extending parallel to said toothed bar, and mounting arms on and at right angles to the tracker bar portion. respectively at opposite ends thereof, one of said arms being provided with an extension projecting parallel to said tracker bar portion and through said side Wall opening, the outer end of said extension being provided with a finger lever extending fore and aft of the frame; a spring urging said bail toward non-latchengaging position; and a stop mounted on said frame and being engageable by said bail for limiting movement thereof under the urge of said last mentioned spring.

6. In a typewriter, a frame element; a carriage element mounted thereon for letter-spacing and return travel; a first stop mounted on one of said elements; a bar mounted on the other of said elements and extending in the direction of carriage travel; a second stop mounted on saidibar for sliding adjustment therealong and being cooperable with said first stop for limiting 'carriage travel in one direction, the surface of said bar being smooth completely around the bar so as to assure free sliding of said second stop on said bar without danger of accidental binding or catching; spring means urging said second stop towards said first stop; a second bar having a toothed portion and being spaced from said first bar and extending parallel thereto and being mounted on said other element and constrained against longitudinal movement relative to said other element; holding means on said second stop adapted normally to engage the toothed portion of said second bar for maintaining said second stop against longitudinal movement in both directions on said first bar, and manually operable means for effecting relative movement between said holding means and the toothed portion of said second bar whereby engagement and disengagement of said holding means with the toothed portion of said second bar may be effected and said second stop may at will be held in adjusted position and against movement in either direction on said first bar or released for adjustment along said first bar, said manually operable means being constrained against movement relative to said other element in the direction of carriage travel.

JOHN JOSEPH KITTEL. 

